TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit delivered its largest single reimbursement to date—a check for $710,000—to a Florida victim of a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
“Instead of setting records, we prefer to prevent fraud, but are proud to deliver justice and make this victim whole,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Through our collaboration with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the dedication of Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor John Paul, we have recovered these funds from transnational criminals and returned them to their rightful owner.”
“Recovering more than $700,000 and returning it to the victim is an outstanding result and reflects the dedication of our detectives and the strong partnerships that make cases like this possible,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. “I want to thank Attorney General James Uthmeier and his team for their collaboration and commitment to holding fraudsters accountable.”
The victim fell prey to a remote work-from-home scam involving “product reviews.” Scammers convinced him he needed to match the value of review items by depositing cryptocurrency to earn commissions, with promises that all funds would be returned plus profits. As the supposed “products” grew larger, so did the required investments. Continue reading
08/14/2026 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
08/27/2026 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
09/22/2026 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
10/02/2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
10/09/2026 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
(NAPSI)—Summer storm season is here, but having the right outdoor power equipment on hand can help you weather storms better, says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).
“If you think ahead, you can mitigate damage from high winds, flooding, wildfires, and other storm surprises,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI, an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars.
To get ready for inclement weather, homeowners should assess their property in advance, identify what equipment is needed, and focus on limiting potential storm damage.
“Get out your equipment now and check it over,” adds Kiser. “Make sure it’s serviced and working well so you’ll be ready when the storm hits. And remember to buy extension cords for generators and fuel in advance.”
Depending on type and size of your landscape, there is equipment for every need including: Continue reading
(NAPSI)—The American Red Cross has declared a national blood emergency and is urging all eligible individuals to give blood to help ensure patients receive the transfusions and care they need.
The emergency comes after the nation’s blood supply fell by nearly 25% during June due to a concerning drop in blood donations.
Summer Challenges to Maintaining the Blood Supply
This decline in the blood supply and in donation appointments comes at a time when maintaining a stable blood inventory is especially difficult. During the summer months, schools and colleges are on break, resulting in fewer blood drives that typically help support the blood supply.
At the same time, more people are traveling and spending time outdoors, increasing the likelihood of accidents and traumatic injuries. According to AAA, fatal crashes involving teen drivers increase by 30% during the so-called “100 Deadliest Days,” which run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This trend disproportionately affects communities such as the Latino community, which has a larger youth population. Continue reading
The month of August is steeped in American military history, with several significant dates observed across the nation. One is August 7—Purple Heart Day. Its origins date to 1782, when General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit, the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart. The medal, as we know it today, was revived in 1932 to honor those wounded or killed in combat.
One recipient was U.S. Army veteran Tommy Gwynn, credited with receiving 12 Purple Hearts during World War II and the Korean War. He stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, helped hold the line during the Battle of the Bulge, landed at Inchon during the Korean War, and twice escaped enemy captivity.
Born on June 2, 1919, Mr. Gwynn enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was shipped to England in 1943. On June 6, 1944, he waded ashore at Normandy during the Allied invasion. Every year afterward, he celebrated June 6 as his “second birthday,” telling the Moore County News that he observed the date because he had survived.
Mr. Gwynn passed away on April 5, 2026, at the age of 106. A life well lived! See you next month..
To Everyone Concerned about Education
Dear Board Members
Subject: School YE Student Test Results – Disappointing
This letter is a follow-up to our January 5th letter and subsequent meeting where we noted mid-year poor test results in several critical areas. In discussions we were assured that supplemental actions to improve student outcomes and competency were in progress and the year-end results would reflect improvement.
At recent meeting school board meetings, board members indicated the results would show a significant improvement, yet the year end test data drastically refutes this assertion.
We continue to have a problem in this county of achieving NOT competitive student outcomes, our students, parents and community deserves better. Harkens to a famous quote from Albert Einstein.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Continue reading
When people think about the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, they often picture ribbon cuttings, networking events, and community celebrations. While those moments are certainly an important part of what we do, they represent only a portion of our work.
Much of the CEP’s impact happens behind the scenes.
On any given day, our team may be meeting with entrepreneurs who are launching their first business, working with existing employers looking to expand, connecting local companies with workforce resources, advocating for policies that strengthen our business climate, or collaborating with community partners to prepare Marion County for future growth.
We’re also working to tell the Ocala Metro story. Whether it’s showcasing our community to prospective businesses, developing new tools to better serve investors and members, or highlighting the success stories of local employers, we’re continually looking for ways to position our region as a place where businesses can succeed. Continue reading
North Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Business networking lunch was held at Glenview Country Club. They meet the third Thursday of every month. Thank you, Glenview country club for your support and wonderful service.
This is the North Lake County Area Chamber of Commerce Business meeting. People winning door prizes and stitting at table talking about each other’s businesses. You can’t refer someone if you don’t know what they do! The north Lake area Chamber members are genuine business people!
Pictured (L to R)
Meylin Powell-Smith, Medicare Benefits Consultant
Carol Lane, Congregate Club Queen 2026
Luis Constance, Congregate Club King 2026
Glenda Thomas, MSS Nutrition & Outreach Director
About the event/program:
Marion Senior Services is proud to announce its 2026 Congregate Club King and Queen. Nominations were received from each of the congregate clubs and scored by a selection committee, based on the following criteria: 1) regular attendance; 2) display of outstanding pride, service, and commitment; 3) regularly, and enthusiastically participates in club activities.
Congregate Dining Clubs are more than just a place to go. At no costs to attendees, it is a place where perfect strangers gather, bond as friends over a nutritious meal; enjoy laughter while engaging in games and activities; strike up meaningful conversations, and most of all, become family. To find out more about this nutrition and socialization program, contact Marion Senior Services Nutrition Department at 352-620-3437
I heard a quote that an Iranian woman made about the war. If you are humiliated and you die it ends the humiliation, if you don’t die you have to deal with it for the rest of your life! So the way I read that they will have to fight to the death? Is JD have any hope of peace or has Trump dumped it on him. If that is what happened I will be disappointed!
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Marion County and all the other counties have a problem with the County Commissioners raising the taxes. Understand this, they can’t be on the cutting edge without money. They need to charge Impact fees and raise the money they need that way. The way they’re doing it is giving the greedy Mortgage Insurance Company’s an excuse to c charge higher Mortgage Insurance rates! Some have thrippled in three years!
So don’t blame the Marion County Commissioners for wanting to be on the cutting edge but buyers are not stupid, they are going places that don ’t have that problem. So I like the County Commissioners that are in there now. They just need another tool to raise money!
MISSING PEOPLE?
Conspiracy theories are flying around. I don’t think it is a fact that UFO’s have anything to do with. This is a way of having the blame put on someone else that is a pie in the sky. Get it (pie in the sky?) I believe it is something like the Cartel’s stealing high profile people extracting information from them, selling it and blaming it on the UFO which makes it a mystery they can’t go after who did it because they don’t know. Continue reading
